Location in website: Home » News » BREWSTER AND DRUMMOND JOIN BRITISH CURLING COACHING TEAM

BREWSTER AND DRUMMOND JOIN BRITISH CURLING COACHING TEAM

Posted on 2 October 2018

Olympic silver medallists Tom Brewster and Greg Drummond have returned to British Curling in coaching roles.

Both men finished their playing involvement in the summer, but their vast experience is being retained as they move into front-line coaching roles for the first time, Drummond with the Mixed Doubles programme as well as with individual athletes on the programme, and Brewster working with Team Jackson.

Their continued involvement means that all five of the Sochi silver medallists from 2014 are still involved with the programme, working with the next generation of Britain’s best curlers, some of whom will become Olympians in less than four years time.

Drummond is working with the newest of Olympic disciplines and he is looking forward to being part of a new and growing area of the game.

“I had just finished my degree at Edinburgh Napier and managed that at the same time as completing my playing career, so timing-wise it was all about exploring new opportunities in light of that. So getting involved in the early stages of the Mixed Doubles programme represented both a new chapter, but also a project that I could help to influence,” said Drummond.

Being the first person to graduate with a degree in Business and Enterprise in Sport, Drummond is also one of the first crop of full time elite curlers entering the coaching ranks and he hopes to utilise both his extensive knowledge and experience to advance the prospects of others.

“It is great to be part of this new era and new coaching team, they have a unique set of skills all bringing something new to the table, which will be for the greater good of the British Curling athletes,” said Drummond.

“The skill set is really strong and it is great to be back working with Dave (Murdoch) again, in his leadership role as the new National Coach we have a really dynamic combination and we all have a good working knowledge of our partners, sportscotland and UK Sport, so there is no cutting of ties, no loss of expertise, which is good for our sport’s development.

“Utilising those resources I am excited to be part of the growing area of the game and the next generation of Mixed Doubles players.

The two time world silver medallist added: “As this discipline looks set to really make it’s mark following its inclusion at the last Winter Games, I am pleased to be involved to help influence the prospects of others in developing their full potential and to achieve success at the next Olympics.”

Brewster’s new duties, which will complement his ice management role at Curl Aberdeen, see him taking over the reins from his mother, former Youth Olympic Coach, Cate Brewster, who was latterly personal coach to Sophie Jackson and her team-mates Naomi Brown, Mili Smith and Sophie Sinclair.

“After more than 18 years travelling the world to compete it seemed like a logical step to go into coaching and this new opportunity is about getting the best out of a young team,” said Brewster.

“I have been part of the elite system since 2000 so I have a good understanding of what is required and obviously with my mum coaching Team Jackson for a number of years there is that familiarity, which will certainly help as the season is now underway,” said the four time national champion.

“Having, like them, personally experienced success in the junior ranks, I know it is quite a transition to the senior level at the big Tour events. With them getting used to the introduction of the five rock rule, I can share a lot of my tactical knowledge and experience which will help them to firmly establish themselves on Tour, improve their rankings and get invited to the bigger events,” he said.